Obituary of George Andersen

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Huitfeldt Andersen, on August 5, 2024, at the age of 93. 

George was born Arne George Huitfeldt Andersen in Brooklyn, New York on June 9, 1931.  His father, Lars Andersen, was a Norwegian ship’s captain, and his mother, Samuella Halvorsen Andersen, was a Norwegian immigrant.  George’s Norwegian heritage informed his entire life as he learned to speak Norwegian, visited Norway multiple times, and always enjoyed Norwegian foods and beverages.  But as much as he cherished his Norwegian heritage, he was first and foremost an American.  He was interested in American history and the Constitution and became quite involved in local politics later in his life. 

George’s childhood was spent living in Brooklyn and Manhattan where he was a proficient roller skater, a violinist, an Eagle Scout, and a lifeguard.  Later, George became an usher at the Strand Theater which was well known for its stage shows.  Not only did George meet dozens of celebrity entertainers at the Strand, but he also met his future wife.  At the age of 17, George enlisted in the New York Army National Guard, 7^th Regiment, Company D where he served for eight years achieving the rank of Master Sergeant.

After deciding, at the age of nine, that his life’s work would be chemistry, George went on to graduate from Brooklyn Technical High School and then earned a B.S. in analytical chemistry from The City College of New York.  From there he went to work at Downstate Medical Center and then General Foods, earning a master’s degree in chemistry from Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1962.

George was a great family man.  After marrying Myma Gareis in 1954, he fathered a daughter, Jeanne, in 1956 and a son, James, in 1962.  Ever the doting father, George never missed a concert, game, science fair, or any other event in which one of his children participated.  He enjoyed teaching his children important life skills such as tuning up a car, sharpening a knife, casting from a rowboat, using chopsticks, driving a stick shift, and making a very dry martini.  In 1991, with the arrival of the first of his seven grandchildren, George’s love, support, and attention expanded to include the details of their lives as well.

In 1963, George jumped at the opportunity to move into nuclear chemistry when he accepted a job at the General Atomic Division of General Dynamics in San Diego doing neutron activation analysis.  Always a lover of road trips, George drove his young family from New York to Georgia, and then across the southern tier into California where they rented a house in the Clairemont section of San Diego and later purchased their first home near La Jolla.  George enjoyed California life, becoming a fan of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, enjoying picnic dinners on Pacific Beach, and exploring the geographic diversity of California and Arizona.

1967 brought new career opportunities and George accepted a job at Atcor, a small start up in Westchester County that specialized in radioactive waste disposal.  Driving his family back across the country (this time through the northern tier), George and Myma relocated to Somers, New York, where they stayed until 1977.  During their Westchester years, George moved on to Marsh & McLennan to embark on his industrial hygiene career, a move that necessitated a long daily commute to New York City.  Eventually, George went to Allied Signal Corporation and the family moved to Randolph, New Jersey.

George always loved to have a good time.  He loved parties, and he enjoyed playing poker and pinochle with his wife and friends.  A big fan of many types of classical music, George was a tireless cheerleader for the musical endeavors of his children.  While living in Somers, George and Myma became active in local politics which continued after their move to Randolph.

George’s favorite pastime was fishing.  Many of the family vacations centered around fishing, often in Maine or upstate New York.  On these, and many other family road trips, George could not resist driving on dirt roads which resulted in many unusual family adventures including being hopelessly stuck in the mud in rural Maine miles from civilization and an accidental death defying drive over a makeshift plank bridge on a mining road in California. 

After extensive U.S. travel, George and Myma started branching out in the 1970’s with trips to the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Europe, and New Zealand.  George later continued his travels and added China, southeast Asia, Egypt, the Middle East, and more of Europe to his long list of destinations.  In all, George visited 48 U.S. states and 27 countries.

After retiring, George and Myma moved to Hainesport, New Jersey, in 2003 where they were able to be very active in the lives of Jeanne’s two children.  After the tragic death of Myma in 2004, George, ever resilient and optimistic, remained in their home, continued to travel, actually learned to cook, and continued to be active in the lives of his grandchildren.

When George was ready to downsize, he moved to Meadow Ridge in Connecticut, only a few miles from James’s house.  There he found a wonderful circle of friends and became very involved in the lives of James’s five boys.  Eventually, George’s eyesight no longer allowed driving or much reading.  But this did not discourage him.  He became an avid listener of audio books, and never stopped enjoying friends and family.  Even as his eyesight dimmed and his strength ebbed, George never stopped being sociable, intellectually curious, and completely devoted to his family.  He will be fondly remembered by many.

George is survived by his children James Andersen and Jeanne Andersen and six of his seven grandchildren – Andrew Broeker, Kyle Andersen, Schuyler Andersen, Quentin Andersen, Austin Andersen, and Everett Andersen.

In remembrance of George's life, for those of you who are so inclined, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Salvation Army of to the City College of New York.  George was a devoted supporter of both organizations.